AN Ellesmere Port man who slashed his victim's face with a knife has been jailed for six and a half years.

Michael McTigue, 33, of Penbridge Court, changed his plea to guilty on the day his trial was due to begin at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, October 18.

The court heard he had gone to 23-year-old victim Declan Mahoney's home in Station Road, Ellesmere Port on Tuesday, May 8, armed with a knife after mistakenly believing Mr Mahoney's friends had been laughing at him during a phonecall.

He slashed Mr Mahoney's face with a Stanley knife, leaving a five-centimetre wound below the cheek.

After Mr Mahoney shouted at him, saying: "What do you think you are doing? My girlfriend's four-and-a-half months pregnant," McTigue walked away, saying: "Call the plod."

The following morning, when police came to arrest him at an address in St Andrews Road at 9am, McTigue resisted arrest and shouted he was "going to rape your wife and kids" to a police officer repeatedly, while also headbutting a police officer.

Recorder Ian Unsworth said the slashing was an "ugly and terrifying incident" and commended officers arresting McTigue, saying: "This must have been quite difficult for the officers dealing with him in that state."

Prosecuting, Nick Williams said it was 10am on May 8 when Mr Mahoney noticed he had a missed call from McTigue on his mobile phone.

He called back and McTigue said he had been taking drugs and had not slept for three days, and the tone of the call was generally "nonsense".

At 1pm Mr Mahoney had finished work and went to the National Waterways Museum where he met friends who were fishing.

He noticed he had a missed call from McTigue again, so rang back.

During the call, Mr Mahoney's friends were laughing at something and McTigue thought they were laughing at him.

He said to Mr Mahoney: "Tell them I am going to smash their heads in."

Mr Mahoney tried to placate McTigue, saying it was not about him, but McTigue would not listen.

Mr Mahoney walked back to his house in Station Road. At 1.30pm, his dogs were barking at the door and Mr Mahoney noticed McTigue was there and "looked a mess".

McTigue said to Mr Mahoney: "Who are you laughing at?" He added he would "cut" or "carve you up".

McTigue was holding a silver/grey knife in his right hand and at first Mr Mahoney did not believe McTigue would use it.

The defendant took a step towards the house and Mr Mahoney pushed him back, saying his pregnant girlfriend was in there.

McTigue then took a step forward and swung the knife to Mr Mahoney's face, cutting him to the cheek before turning around and walking off.

After the altercation, Mr Mahoney was going to chase him down but noticed blood was dripping on the floor – he looked in the mirror and saw the extent of the injury.

An ambulance was called and Mr Mahoney was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital, where police attended and took photos of the injury as evidence.

Fortunately there was no nerve damage, but Mr Mahoney said in a victim impact statement it has left a scar across his face which he is very self conscious about.

It later transpired McTigue had rung Mr Mahoney 21 times between 1pm and 1.30pm, but Mr Mahoney's phone was on silent. Two text messages were also sent which read: "Answer your f***ing phone" and "I am going to burn your f***ing ken down".

Mr Mahoney's victim impact statement added it had heightened his anxiety and depression and had been to a GP who suspected he may have PTSD.

He said: "I have left Ellesmere Port as I no longer feel safe. I have had to give up my job, am relying on Universal Credit and have moved into temporary accommodation, which is not idea for me and my girlfriend."

The court heard McTigue had previous convictions for affray, blackmail, ABH, being drunk and disorderly, possession of cannabis, shoplifting, battery and weapon possession.

Defending, Maria Masselis said: "This is a serious and unpleasant incident. The defendant says that in the cold light of day he is genuinely sorry for what he has done."

Ms Masselis added the fact the complainant had moved away from the area meant the two people were unlikely to meet again.

McTigue had not been convicted since 2013 and had been making constructive efforts in prison to improve himself, going on several courses and working in metal manufacturing.

Recorder Unsworth told McTigue: "You did not express remorse at the time, you walked away.

"Your victim has had to leave Ellesmere Port and his job. [Your action] has had far-reaching consequences."

McTigue was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for wounding with intent and a 12-month concurrent sentence for knife possession.

Three knives including a combat knife found at the St Andrews property were to be forfeited and destroyed.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Constable Stuart Wood, of Ellesmere Port CID, said: “McTigue committed this assault on someone who was considered to be a friend. It was completely unprovoked and came as a shock to the victim who never believed McTigue would cause him harm.

“McTigue then continued to show aggressive and violent behaviour on the day he was arrested by officers.

“Thankfully the courts have today recognised how nasty McTigue is and justice has been served.”